The National Theatre () is a theatre located in Belgrade, Serbia. Founded in the later half of the 19th century, it is located on the Republic Square, at the corner of Vasina and Francuska Street. With the raising of this building as well as with the implementation of the Regulations Plan of Town in Trench by Josimović from 1867, the conditions were made for the formation of today's main Republic Square in Belgrade. Built back in 1868, the National Theatre, following the fate of its own people and the country, went through different phases of the architectural and artistic development, surviving as a symbol of Serbian culture, tradition and spirituality. Today, under its roof, there are three artistic ensembles: opera, ballet, and drama. The National Theatre was declared a Monument of Culture of Great Importance in 1983, and it is protected by the Republic of Serbia. Origin In 1868, the Serbian National Theatre from Novi Sad (then the capital of Serbian culture in Austria-Hungary) performed in Belgrade (then the capital of the Principality of Serbia). Prince Michael, impressed by the performances he experienced, invited Jovan Đorđević (the founder of the Novi Sad Serbian National Theatre) to found a similar institution in Serbia. Having accepted, Jovan Đorđević came to Belgrade with half of his company of actors and founded the National Theatre in Belgrade, seven years after having founded the Novi Sad theatre. The prince chose the location, on the present Republic Square. The area was cleared earlier, after the prince ordered the demolition of the Stambol Gate in 1866, one of the four outer gates into the Belgrade Fortress. Building History Construction Though some preparatory works have begun, the prince didn't live to see the full blown construction. He was assassinated in Košutnjak on 10 June 1868 and the foundation stone was laid by his successor, prince Milan, on . On that day the Metropolitanate of Belgrade Mihailo Jovanović consecrated the foundations. A memorial charter was signed by the prince Milan and his regents and built into the foundations of the building. The charter had the following inscription: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! This home, intended for the Serbian National Theater in Belgrade, first stage in Serbian capital city, is being built thanks to the will and significant money support from the Serbian prince Mihailo M. Obrenović III, who was